Nico
and Dani (2000) (AKA Krampack)
"Nico and Dani" is a Spanish teen gay film. The original
title, "Krampack" isn't as harsh as it sounds. I thought
it might mean, "backpack" even though the word sounds
like the Spanish equivalent of buttfuck. But "Krampack"
actually means mutual masturbation. And yes, the two
protagonists here do engage in that activity.
Nico and Dani are two high school aged male friends.
The trailer for this film would make you believe that
this is a fun, spirited, breezy, teenage bisexual romp,
as you see the protags cavort together and with their
female peers. But that isn't quite what it's about.
Instead, "Nico and Dani" takes on a "coming of age/coming
out" story that I haven't really ever seen explored
before. While the duo are close, and share mutual masturbation
and even begin experimenting with other sexual acts
in their friendship, they still are basically straight
and spend time wooing two local young girls. However,
eventually it is Dani who begins to realize that he
likes his relationship with Nico more than with the
females. Nico, of course, does not share his feelings.
So what we get here is a wonderful story about a relationship
going through a troubled time. Rather than a harsh,
typical, angst-ridden film about unrequited teenage
love, which has been done a hundred times, we get two
young friends, who are also lovers, who find themselves
at odds with what they want from each other. Yes, there
are still sorrowful moments of Dani's unrequited feelings
for Nico, but at least Nico loves him back and does
have a sexual relationship with him. This isn't about
one guy who is gay and his friend who is not. The love
is not one-sided. Rather, it is simply that Nico is
not as serious about Dani as he is about being with
girls. It is welcome relief in the genre.
Nico is visiting Dani in his summer home. Dani's parents
are away on vacation. But there are adults present to
make the film tenuous and drab. The somewhat bisexual
female who teaches Dani English seems to understand
their relationship. But she makes some pretty harsh
threats to the older Julian, a gay author and friend
of Dani's family, when he takes an interest in the boy.
Julian is neither a pedophile nor a leach and he has
no ill will towards Dani. There is no real need for
her to be so protective of the boy. It is annoying because
she does it in a crude fashion, threatening to "turn
him in" and such. It is kinda over the top. And for
what it's worth, Dani doesn't need her protection anyway.
The point is perhaps moot as well because Dani's relationship
with Julian takes an interesting turn.
Based on a stage play by Jordi Sanchez, director Cesc
Gay opens the film up quite wonderfully using beach
locals and local nightclubs to make the film seem breezy
and vast, much like the main characters. Filmed beautifully,
the piece unfortunately has the typical Hispanic production
value of thunderously loud musical splashes accenting
the transitory scenes. This can give the viewer a headache.
"Nico and Dani" may be teenagers (hence the supposed
need for a rock score), but the story is one of exploration
and tenderness. There is no need for loud musical accents.
It is annoying. Luckily, the story, characters and visuals
are so enthralling that these cacophonous interruptions
can almost be ignored.
The young actors in this film who play the titular
duo have a chemistry that is undeniable on film. We
love these youngsters and want desperately for their
friendship to work out. Having been young and like Dani
ourselves once, with friends very much like Nico, we
know exactly what the characters are feeling. And the
acting here by these two remarkable young performers
is nothing short of perfection. Of course, they are
working from a nicely written and wonderful realistic
script.
Not to spoil the film, but it is important to note
that "Nico and Dani" ends beautifully and poetically.
Dani, alone at the beach, looks to one side and sees
an attractive female, looks to the other side and sees
an attractive male, and then looks ahead to a vast,
blue ocean, with it's limitless sky above. In the end,
Dani realizes the whole world is open to him and he
has the right to decide what he wishes for his future.
It is a moment where Dani realizes that anything can
happen in this life. The whole wide world is open to
him. It is a hopeful, poignant and strikingly visual
moment. We are glad Dani has realized the beauty of
his options. It solidifies a moment that many of us,
as gay teenagers, once experienced ourselves.
Note:
In Spanish with subtitles which insist on translating
even the most basic phrases, like "Ole" and "Gracias"
for us.
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Card
Script:
A+
Acting: A+
Cinematography\Lighting: A+
Special Effects\Make Up:A+
Music: C-
Final
Grade: A+
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